Trump Honors Connor Hellebuyck at State of the Union With Presidential Medal of Freedom

During Tuesday night's State of the Union address, President Trump paused the proceedings to honor the Winnipeg Jets goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian honor the United States government can bestow. The House chamber, already buzzing from the presence of the gold medal-winning Team USA men's hockey team, erupted. Chants of "U-S-A" broke out as Hellebuyck was recognized.

For anyone following hockey over the past week, it felt inevitable.